Life in Business: Ironwood Custom Framing

Margo Ray wanted to come home to Hawai‘i, where she was born and raised, and was looking for an opportunity for herself and her husband in 2006. At the time, she was finishing her master of fine arts degree in Montreal, Canada.
“My father heard that Ironwood Framing was for sale—a picture framing shop that had been in business in Waimea for eight years prior. Scott and I decided that we had the skill sets to suit a custom picture framing business. It would be an opportunity to continue to work in the arts and make a living on the Big Island. We purchased Ironwood in June of 2006, after a month of intensive training with the previous owners.”
Her business partner and husband, Scott Yoell, is also a fine artist and is Canadian.
“We quickly learned that the business entailed much more than just framing the art. We walked into a booming business environment in 2006, soon to be followed by the economic crash in 2008. The past three years have been a process of streamlining, diversifying and trying to stay optimistic. Since mid-2011, though, we have seen a consistent growth and many clients returning. They include residents of Waimea, Kohala and the Kohala Coast, as well as interior designers both here and on the Mainland. We are grateful that we made it though what I believe has been the worst of the economic downturn.”
Four years ago, the shop moved to a bigger, more visible space and is the only picture framing business in North Hawai‘i.
Scott and Margo both maintain active art practices outside of the framing business. “We bring our creative skills to designing framed art and to curating an outstanding selection of artwork available for purchase. Scott has extensive training in art installations. We are also committed to community involvement. We frame anywhere from 75 to150 pieces of children’s art work every year for the Annual Keiki Art Show at the Kahilu Theatre Galleries; at the end of the exhibit each child gets to keep their framed artwork free of charge,” says Margo, who is also a graduate of Parker School and UH-Hilo.
Margo has exhibited her art in Honolulu galleries and art centers, as well as venues on the Mainland and Canada. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts has purchased three of her pieces for their permanent collection. Scott has a background in fine woodworking and construction and has been featured in shows and exhibitions in Honolulu as well as nationally and internationally.
Location: 65-1298A Kawaihae Rd., Kamuela
Phone: 808.885.0001
Email: ironwoodframing@gmail.com
Website: ironwoodpictureframing.com